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Scholarship Stories

Scholarship Established in Memory of William Michael "Mike" Bassett

William Michael "Mike" Bassett died suddenly on March 12, 2009. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1979, and like his father before him, he was an active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. His son, Brett, is also a member of Sigma Chi and a die-hard Razorback fan.


Mike's wife, Gari Lynn Vansandt Bassett, decided that the best way to memorialize her husband was to establish an endowed scholarship at the University of Arkansas. Family and friends contributed to the fund over the summer months, and his friends also scheduled a golf tournament in his memory for September. Proceeds from the tournament will lend additional support for the scholarship fund.

Once fully endowed, the scholarship will be awarded to students who have reached at least junior level status at the University of Arkansas with preference given to members of the Omega Omega Chapter of Sigma Chi.

"Mike would be so honored that so many are choosing to remember him," said Gari Bassett. "Most of all, I know that he is proud I picked the perfect way to do so because he loved the Sigma Chi's and the Razorbacks so very much."